Furnace Noises to Be Aware of

By
Controlled Air
|January 25, 2018

If your ductwork or furnace starts to make noises, you will want to make
sure this is corrected as soon as possible. If you hear a loud and sudden
bang or boom, it’s probably due to a buildup of gas and a delayed
ignition. This is similar to what may happen if you leave the propane
gas grill on for too long before igniting it. There are different reasons
for why you may have a delayed ignition, dirty, clogged burners are causing
a delayed ignition. When your furnace finally lights, the gas build-up
in the combustion chamber creates a loud bang or boom that reverberates
throughout your home. There is an unbalanced air-to-fuel ratio. If there
is too much air, or too little gas, this could be causing your gas to
build up, leading to the resulting explosion.

Rumbling noise

A rumbling furnace noise can indicate a serious problem with your motor
bearings, gas burners, or pilot light. A house-shaking rumbling on the
other hand could be due to unburnt fuel in your combustion chamber that
burns even after your furnace shuts off. If this is happening, then you
could be putting your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Rattling noise

If you are hearing a rattling furnace noise before your blower turns on,
this could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. A cracked heat exchanger
is a serious furnace problem that should not be neglected. It is the number
one cause of carbon monoxide leaks from your furnace. If you hear a rattling
sound before your blower comes on, immediately turn your furnace off.
If you hear a rattling sound after your blower comes on, this could be
due to loose ductwork connections.

Furnace turning on

When your furnace kicks on, it is normal to hear a clicking sound. This
is just your ignition clicking on. If, however, you hear excessive clicking,
you may have a problem with your flame sensor. Over time, your flame sensor
gets dust and debris buildup, which prevents proper operation. If your
furnace clicks and clicks without ever coming on, this is most likely
due to loose wiring. It could also be a leaky gas valve. Or if you hear
a swooshing or swishing and then a click, this could also mean a leaking
gas valve. A clicking and clacking sound before the blower turns on is
a sign of trouble. It can indicate a crack in your heat exchanger, a very
dangerous proposition. A leaking gas valve and cracked heat exchanger
are serious issues not to be taken lightly. Make sure to contact us at
(651) 504-1556 with any noise you hear, so we can inspect the furnace
system for you.